Student demonstrators established a pro-Palestinian encampment on the campus of Wake Forest University on Wednesday morning.
Students are protesting the Israeli strikes on Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas war. According to the student-run newspaper, The Old Gold and Black, participants say they want the school to part ways with any Israel and Israel-backed companies, shareholders, and partnerships.
The university said around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, a group of approximately 20 students began demonstrating peacefully on Hearn Plaza in solidarity with pro-Palestine activists on campuses across the country.
The demonstration transitioned to assembling tents on Hearn Plaza around 6:30 p.m.
The school said administrators informed students that erecting tents and staying overnight was inconsistent with the intended and approved use of the space and violated health and safety policies.
University security was present throughout the evening to ensure the safety of everyone involved. No additional law enforcement agencies were engaged or present on campus.
"We respect and uphold the rights of our community to peacefully assemble and are committed to protecting free expression while ensuring the safety of all on campus," the school wrote in a statement. "This requires us to uphold our policies and practices in support of a campus environment conducive to our academic mission."
The school said students can continue to demonstrate in an area designated by the University for free expression with appropriate displays.
The student paper reports that administrators are open to a discussion at a later time on the condition that the encampment is removed, otherwise, police may get involved and students may face disciplinary action like expulsion.
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